Dining at Radford

Radford School is a “closed campus” by design and tradition. Our students are not allowed to leave except on rare occasions. Table manners follow acceptable etiquette. In order to standardize supervision of these manners at lunchtime, teachers will review the Dining Room Procedures found in the appendix to the student Handbook.

Manners

Lunch in the dining room is a pleasant, relaxing part of the daily schedule. To ensure that it will be enjoyable for all, standards of socially accepted behavior have been established. Students, faculty and guests enter the dining room quietly and stand at their assigned places with hands at their sides or behind them—not on chairs. Voices will be kept at a quiet level at all times. There will be no visiting between tables. Outdoor jackets are not to be worn in the dining room. They may be placed neatly over the back of the chair.

At times, some tables may be cancelled because of extenuating circumstances. Only the Principal or Assistant Principal may cancel a dining room table. The Principal enters and signals silence. Grace is said in unison with bowed heads. Chairs are not to be touched until the Principal announces, “You may be seated.”

Male students are encouraged to hold out the chairs for any female at the table beginning with the faculty member heading the table and any guest present. Only the head of the table directs the server. One server will be assigned to each table and students are not allowed to assist the server with his/her duties. The head of the table will report any problems they have with a server to the Assistant Principal. The head of the table will ask how many would like soup, milk, or salad before the meal begins. The count is to be given by the head of table to the server. The head of the table will tell those at the table the menu for the day. Everyone will request and respond appropriately, using complete sentences and “please and thank you, “etc. Only positive comments are to be made about the meal while at the table. Separate salads and soups may be eaten during the serving process. No other food is to be eaten until all members at the table are served, all condiments and accompaniments have been passed completely around the table, and the head of table announces “You may begin.” Most food will not be passed. However, bread and condiments should be passed, but never across the table.

Table Service

Our tables are set with tablecloths, silverware, and glassware. The following basic etiquette will apply:

• Napkins: Napkins are to be unfolded and placed in the lap as soon as you are seated. At the end of the meal, the napkin is to be placed on the table, not refolded.
• Silverware: Tables will be set with two forks, two knives, and two spoons. The general rule is to begin outside, with the utensils set farthest from the plate.
• The Outside Fork: Usually the fork with the short tines is for the salad if a separate salad plate is served. If salad is not served, the small fork is a dessert fork.
• The Fork Closest to the Plate: The fork with longer tines is the meat fork and is used for all fork food except salad and/or dessert.
• Iced Tea Spoon: The spoon with a long handle is to be used only to stir iced tea and should not be allowed to hit the sides of the glass when stirring.
• The Small Butter Knife: This knife is on the bread plate and is used only to butter bread or rolls.
• The Larger Knife: The knife nearest the plate on the right is used to cut food.
• Only one piece of silver should be in hand while actually eating. After cutting, the large knife is to be placed across the top edge of the plate with the cutting edge of the knife toward you.
• A fork is used with tines up to convey food to mouth.
• Nothing should be used to push food onto silverware.
• All used silverware should be placed across the plate edge rather than on the tablecloth.
• When finished, all used silverware should be placed on the plate and passed to the server for removal from the table.
• A general rule for knowing whether to use a spoon or fork is that spoons should be used for food served in bowls; a fork for food served on a plate.
• Sugar is to be poured onto the iced teaspoon and ladled into the glass. Sugar is never poured directly into a glass.

Dessert

After the meal is finished, the server will tell the head of the table what the dessert for the day is; the head of the table will ask who would like dessert and then give the count to the server.

Singing & Performing

The Radford “Welcome Song” will occasionally be sung in moderate voices and in unison. The song will be announced and led by the person making the announcement. Radford students will occasionally perform before or after a meal.

Head of Table

The head of table serves food, makes sure that each student is fed, and assures that appropriate behavior and manners are observed. If a student does not observe dining rules, the student will be told to leave the dining room and proceed to the office immediately. Good manners are important because they help endure that all can enjoy their meal. Anything in action or conversation that is unpleasant, or inappropriate, will be subject to correction by the head of table.

Only Pre-K through 2nd grade students may eat fried chicken with their hands. All others will use fork and knife. Pre-K through 4th grade will have a choice of milk, water, or punch. Fifth and sixth grades as well as middle and upper students may have the choice of tea. The head of table will indicate which are “finger foods” such as tacos, hamburgers, pizza, etc. The Principal will dismiss students when the meal is over.

"A few years ago, I attended the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, D.C. Thanks to Radford, I was totally at ease at this dinner, just as I am at any formal dining event. Radford taught me proper etiquette, and along with that comes confidence and the ability to fit in at any event."
- Radford Graduate

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